I know I have had a lot of these in a row, so expect some different stuff coming down the pipe soon (hopefully another get to know a prospect, they seem pretty popular according to some recent site data, especially Scott Moviel and Dan Murphy, so maybe something about one of them, especially Murphy who has been terrific so far this year). Anyway heres looking at tomorrow's or today's (depending on when you read this) game against the Phillies.
Before we get into details about the game, I want to briefly discuss the importance of tonight's, Friday night's game. The Mets after winning this game are now 3 games above .500. First off, now they have a cushion. Second, if they decided to drop the next two games to the Phillies, which I really hope they don't, they still will be above .500 (their record would fall to 9-8), but with Monday's game in Chicago, its important to put the clamp down the on the Phils this weekend to get some momentum, continue this now 4 game streak, and get space in the division.
Another important thing about this game, and what will play a factor in the next two games in Billy Wagner. Last year, he was horrible in Philly, he had an ERA above 8.00. Tonight, he didn't look twice as he threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the ninth. (Plus, did you see his velocity? He hit 99 tonight!). Wagner also showed that even though at the start of the season he was very rarely used, he can pitch consecutive days as he has now thrown three consecutive games, getting 2 saves along the way (raising his season total now to 3 saves),
Anyway, Saturday's afternoon game will be the second time this season that Oliver Perez and Jamie Moyer square off. In the first battle, Oliver was the better pitcher, but the bullpen could not help him out as the Mets watched their lead in the game disappear to the Phillies, as they wrecked the Mets home opener. In that game:
Perez 5.2 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 ER
Moyer 6 IP, W, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, K, HR
In was in that game that Delgado showed some life for the Mets as he knocked one in.
The preview for the first time these two pitchers faced off this year can be found here.
Lets Go Mets!
